e~Aurora
A weekly news update from The Alaska United Methodist Conference
Conference News

Bridgeforth brings experience, collaborative mindset into new role as bishop of the GNW Area


In a newly released video, Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth hopes to bring his skills of collaboration, outreach, pastoral care, communication, clergy coaching and more to his role as the episcopal leader for the Greater Northwest Area.


Read more and view the video

Give to the Circle of Indigenous Ministries in honor of Bishop Elaine's retirement


In partnership with the Faith Foundation Northwest, Bishop Elaine Stanovsky has asked that any gifts being given to honor her retirement be directed to the Greater Northwest Area's Circle of Indigenous Ministries. With a long history of advocating for inclusion and decolonization, Bishop wants to ensure this new ministry only continues to grow and flourish in the years to come.


Learn more and watch video testimonials about Bishop Elaine on the Faith Foundation's website.

Youth Mission Immersion 2023


Middle school and high school youth are invited to join our annual Mission Immersion from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14. This is a rewarding opportunity to serve in the Anchorage area at FISH, Mobile Food Pantries, Pioneer Home, ReStore, Children's Lunchbox, AK Child & Family, Days for Girls and more. Registration deadline is January 9, 2023.


Sign up here

Conference Calendar

5: Professional Ministries Unit meeting

5: Leadership Team meeting

8: Charge Conference - Turnagain UMC

10-12: GNW Cabinet Meeting

16: Office Closed - Martin Luther King Jr. Day

29: Charge Conference - Jewel Lake Parish

29-31: National Association of Directors of Connectional Ministries meeting - Lisa attending

1: First Day of Black History Month

2: Leadership Team meeting

2: Professional Ministries Unit meeting

6-14: WJ College & DCMs Retreat - Lisa attending

14: Valentine's Day

15-21: Superintendent on vacation

20: Presidents' Day

22: Ash Wednesday

Upcoming Clergy Birthdays


January 4 - David Owsley


January 13 - Meghan Woods


January 17 - Kris-Ann Wilcox

The United Methodist Church


Bishop's Blog


Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Conference Office

alaskaumc@gmail.com

www.alaskaumc.org

907-333-5050


Superintendent - Christina DowlingSoka

dwlngsk@yahoo.com


Director of Connectional Ministries - Lisa Talbott

lisamarietalbott@gmail.com


Submissions - If you have an article or event that you would like to share with the rest of the conference, submit it to the conference office by Tuesday at 9:00 am for consideration.
Submit news articles here!
Values Statement
We acknowledge that the Methodist Church is complicit with and rooted in the colonization of Alaska and recognize that we live in that ongoing legacy. We lament the harm and trauma that our faith community causes. John Wesley, founder of the Methodist Movement, summarized God’s directives with three Rules: do no harm, do good, and attend to the ordinances of God. We also celebrate the grace, the love, and the good that our church does that calls us to re-imagine mission through intentional discipleship with one another.
We will live into the transition to a Mission District committed to:
Alaska Conference Values
  1. The love of God, neighbor, and self, demonstrated by the deliberate embracing and valuing of differences, the leveling of imbalances between people and systems, and the intentional dismantling of inequities in whatever forms they present themselves.
  2. Healing, grace-filled mission with communities and churches that prioritizes local experiences and shares resources across time and distance through equitable relationships.
  3. Living into connectionalism by belonging to and trusting in one another to nurture relationships that celebrate the gifts each of our communities bring, allowing us to move forward in a decolonized way.
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